Experts warn of serious health risks of drugs like xylazine
By Jenna Wilson
An illegal narcotic on the streets that could lead to amputation has been surfacing in St. Joseph for over a year now, and officials are cautioning the community, especially because Narcan won’t be able to reverse the effects.
“Xylazine is an animal tranquilizer,” said Shawn Collie, Buchanan County drug strike Captain. “We saw it about a year ago when the East Coast and even some of the border sheriffs started talking about seeing the drug. It had already kind of hit the streets in St. Joe.”
Like many other drugs, xylazine is often being mixed with fentanyl.
Beginning in 2022, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration warned the public about a sharp increase in the trafficking of fentanyl mixed with xylazine. The drug is a strong sedative that has only been approved for veterinary use.
This causes concern about the role of the overdose reversal drug, Narcan. Narcan is used to reverse the effects of overdoses due to opioids. Along with that, certain illegal drugs are stronger than others.
“With these new drugs, Narcan is not going to have any effect,” Collie said. “This is a drug that’s mainly being used on horses or large animals. So, what we’re seeing with humans is so many different changes in their physical health from using this drug.”
The drug has many health effects on humans, including causing open skin wounds so severe they could lead to amputation.
“People have to start becoming aware of the effects these drugs have on your body,” Collie said. “Not only is it something that will destroy your skin and tissue but it will lead to fatality. It may not happen the first or second time for some but for many, depending on the body and its tolerance for drugs, it will kill you.”
Collie said it’s important for families to educate their children on the dangers of drugs and the public should avoid experimenting with any controlled substances that weren’t prescribed from a doctor.
